Whether you’re a writer, a painter, or a musician, you never know if you’re any good until you’ve made it big. Sure, your friends and family tell you that you’re talented, but of course they do. They’re meant to support you and they would never tell you that you’re bad even if you were the worst artist ever to taint this world with your breath.

You need to look elsewhere for critique, so maybe you submit your writing online or enter your work in a local exhibit or perhaps sing at a local bar. Once you do, a few will tell you how good you are. Their praise seems like some sign of worth, but you think, “What do they know?” They’re just a couple of strangers that happened upon your work. They never studied your craft. At the end of the day, they’re just being nice.

So you take a class. You tell the instructor you want a few pointers to improve, but really you’re looking for praise from someone experienced. And they give it to you. They can see you’re not just some bored housewife looking for a hobby. You have talent and they tell you so. They’re an authority on the matter, so it must be the truth.

But if you’re talented, why aren’t you successful? It seems like the world is playing a joke on you. Everyone’s in on it: your friends, your family, those strangers, and that instructor. They’re all in on it. You’re not actually that talented because if you were, you’d be rolling in dough by now. And you get upset because not only are they wasting your time by giving you encouragement, you’re wasting time by listening to it.

Even so, you look at some current market successes. You look at 50 Shades of Grey and wonder how someone could approve such garbage. “His voice is warm and husky like dark melted chocolate fudge caramel… or something.” Or something…what utter trash, and someone published this. Worse, someone decided to make it into a movie. Even worse, both the book and movie raked in millions.

Talent must have nothing to do with the industry. You don’t need to be good to succeed. Maybe you’re not the next great, but you’re better than 50 Shades…or something. So why aren’t you successful?

I don’t know. I have no idea. If anyone can tell me, I will be delighted to hear. It seems so arbitrary who or what catches on. So if you know the secret, please share. Thank you!